Alice Gerrard: “Sweet South Anna River”
Clip: 3/13/2025 | 5mVideo has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard performs “Sweet South Anna River,” an ode to her friend and musician Elizabeth Cotten.
Alice Gerrard’s “Sweet South Anna River” is a tribute to Elizabeth Cotten, a legendary folk and blues musician from Chapel Hill, NC. Cotten told Gerrard that after she passed, she wished for her body to be laid in a river, allowing her friends to say farewell. Gerrard’s song vividly imagines Cotten’s journey down the river, capturing her memory.
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Alice Gerrard: “Sweet South Anna River”
Clip: 3/13/2025 | 5mVideo has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard’s “Sweet South Anna River” is a tribute to Elizabeth Cotten, a legendary folk and blues musician from Chapel Hill, NC. Cotten told Gerrard that after she passed, she wished for her body to be laid in a river, allowing her friends to say farewell. Gerrard’s song vividly imagines Cotten’s journey down the river, capturing her memory.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship["Sweet South Anna River"] ♪ On the sweet South Anna River ♪ ♪ Where the leafy waters flow ♪ ♪ She whiled away her childhood days ♪ ♪ In the sweet long ago ♪ ♪ Her voice echoes down the river ♪ ♪ From the distant shores of home ♪ ♪ Remember me, I was a queen ♪ ♪ Don't you cry when I'm gone.
♪ ♪ And let the river carry me on ♪ ♪ Past the redbud and the pine ♪ ♪ And won't you sing to me as I take my leave ♪ ♪ You're gonna miss me all the time ♪ ♪ When my life on earth is ended ♪ ♪ And the music fades away ♪ ♪ Don't lay me down in the cold dark ground ♪ ♪ In some lonesome old grave ♪ ♪ On the sweet South Anna River ♪ ♪ Where soft breezes fan the air ♪ ♪ Just lay me down in a silvery gown ♪ ♪ Wild flowers in my hair ♪ ♪ And let the river carry me on ♪ ♪ Past the redbud and the pine ♪ ♪ And won't you sing to me as I take my leave ♪ ♪ You're gonna miss me all the time ♪ ♪ Along the banks of the sweet South Anna ♪ ♪ As far as eyes can see ♪ ♪ As I pass by old friends of mine ♪ ♪ Will wave goodbye to me ♪ ♪ Then goodbye my sweet South Anna ♪ ♪ Lord, there's nothing can compare ♪ ♪ Remember me, I was a queen ♪ ♪ Wild flowers in my hair ♪ ♪ And let the river carry me on ♪ ♪ Past the redbud and the pine ♪ ♪ And won't you sing to me as I take my leave ♪ ♪ You're gonna miss me all the time ♪ ♪ Remember me, I was a queen ♪ ♪ You're gonna miss me when I'm gone ♪
Alice Gerrard: “December Daisy”
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 2m 24s | Alice Gerrard and her band perform the upbeat bluegrass instrumental “December Daisy.” (2m 24s)
Alice Gerrard: “Get Up and Do Right” and “Fortune”
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 6s | Alice Gerrard combines two bluegrass songs into one tune that calls for community action. (3m 6s)
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 7s | Alice Gerrard performs “Mary Johnson,” a song from the era of her collaboration with Hazel Dickens. (3m 7s)
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 4m 34s | Alice Gerrard’s “No Never No” is based on a song she found in a songbook at a thrift shop. (4m 34s)
Alice Gerrard: “Stormy Waters”
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 48s | Alice Gerrard performs the bluegrass and gospel classic “Stormy Waters.” (3m 48s)
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 25s | Alice Gerrard performs “Sun to Sun,” a song about gun violence. (3m 25s)
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Preview: 3/13/2025 | 30s | Folk legend Alice Gerrard performs songs from communities that have inspired her. (30s)
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.